Cristiano Ronaldo regains title of world’s best footballer

REAL Madrid's Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, has ended Lionel Messi's four-year reign as FIFA's World Player of the Year.

Ronaldo (pictured) claimed the award for a second time after finishing with 1365 votes, ahead of Barcelona's Messi (1205) and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery (1127). Votes were cast by coaches, national captains and members of the media.

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He scored 66 goals in 56 appearances for his club and country last year to reclaim the trophy he won in 2008.

Although Ronaldo did not win any major trophies in 2013, he did score all four goals as Portugal beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs to secure its place in Brazil later this year.

Brisbane Roar W-League goalkeeper Nadine Angerer shared centre stage with Ronaldo after the German captain, the current European player of the year, was crowned women's player of the year.